Wichita eagle., 1887-05-17
A JAPANESE FAMILY.
A kOBLE FATHER,A TENDER MOTHER
AND LOVELY CHILDREN,

Careful Training of the Sons and DausE
ters-Several Interesting Customs-Rev
erent Beliefs of Many Generatious-a
Pile of Charms.
In this homo an ex-daimio and fanlil,
dwelled, with whom ! exchanged frequen
Inequalities during my sojourn in Japan
AS I was one Of the family in which tht
da1mio's youngest brother and eldest sol
had found a home while pursuing thei,
education in America, was cordially re-
ceived by the ex-prince in turn. The fam
| lily then consisted of his wife, two little
girls, two grown daughters, and three sons
ono baby-and the grandmother of these
| children-a charming old lady three
| nurses, and large retinue of servants
The father was noble specimen of devo-
ton to his country, yet, withal, an apostle
of progress. He was one Of the many who
had consented to the destruction of the old
government, and had voluntarily yielded
his revenues and title without a murrnur,
for the public good. The lady mother and
| eldest daughter were peers of the ladies of
any land in their love of beauty, ornament,
elegant dress, and neatness, and in their
skill in household management, as well as in
those social amenities and tactics of polite
circles that etiquette prescribes.
This motherNyaS as strong in tenderness
patience and long suffering for and with her
children as her European or American SIS
tiers; and equally faithful and assiduous in
their training and education, according to
her knowledge. She taught her daughters
as her mother had taught her. that the
three fundamental duties of woman are
obedience to her parents when child, obe-
dience to her husband when married and
obedience to her eldest son, if she becomes a
widow.
She also instructed them from the Japan
csc Ladies' Library, which is a compen-
dunn of the moral and physical duties OF
woman. 1t includes the subjects Of house
hold and social management, rules for the
strictest etiquette, a guide to letter writ
ing, proverbs, poems from q hundred au-
thors memoirs of noble women, and order
Ing for the whole conduct of life. They
were likewise taught to read the standard
histories OF Japan in Chinese characters, and
both boys and girls were thoroughly drilled
In the Evolutionary heroic, and mythology
cal lore Of their own land
The sons were trained to manly sports
and exploits, and their ambition fred by
historic tales OF heroes. They were urged
to overcome obstacles by the symbol over
the massive outer door, where swung the
huge paper carp suspended from bamboo
pole, ever reminding the youth of Japan how
the carp leaps the waterfall These lads
were also taught natural sciences and mill
tary tactics, from English and Dutch au-
fhn,. ~, III. l,,He
found them constructing miniature earth
works, by the aid of book diagram and
trowel.
Then came the tutor with lessons in fenc-
ing and wrestling, and the use of cross
spears and swords, in the handling of which
they became marvelously expert. The father
Instructed the sons in the Chinese classics
himself and stimulated their young souls
by tales of classic lore.
One of the interesting customs 1 thus
learned Of III the life of this house was that
OF the many festivals-the Feast of the
Dolls for the daughters of the house, when
year after year the great nursery was
decked with blooming bows, and the many
toys In which Japan abounds, while pretty
mimic life of motherhood and housekeeping
prevailed for one whole day; of the Feast
Of the Banners, when the boys were marched
put in triumph to the streets, with emblaz-
oned banners to enact mimic war: of the |
New Years day, when prince and retain
ers, master and servants, pledged anew
their devotion to each other, and received !
gifts OF good things; of the religious fes- |
i0als, when the masters household, like a |
great heart, beat for tho birth and death, |
,he joy and sorrow, Of his tenantry.
Here, for two centuries, the daughters |
u the house had been given in marriage, |
without spoken vow or priestly rite; but by |
gift and song, dance and cheer, began their
lew career. From thence had gone out
he father to Yeddo or Fukui on public or
private business-the sons for education
md culture, the daughters for travel or re-
igious duty. These walls had echoed with
ongs and laughter, with cries and sobs.
Here, in time of bereavement, in the ora
DRY Of the house where the sacred lights
md incense burn, one after another black
ablet was set, gilt-lettered, to be honored
y later generations.
In the path by the old shrine, made sa-
red by the reverent beliefs of generations.
took my final leave Of this interesting
a1nlly. / asked for q memerto from its
allowed contents, and the ez-prince gave |
ne case of light wood containing an
mulet written in Sanskrit and Chinese, for
he protection of this ancient house: and
S l passed out Of the great gate, | stood
nder pile Of charms a foot in thickness,
hitch had been added year by year, to
ard off sickness and harm Helen S. II.
thompson III Overland Monthly.